Video Game Review: Addictive, Gorgeous ‘Assassin’s Creed 2’ is a Must-Play

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CHICAGO – The team behind the highly anticipated “Assassin’s Creed 2” have delivered one of the most remarkably realized and complete video game worlds of the year, a journey back in time to when a man’s word meant as much as the edge of his sword. With very few hiccups, “Assassin’s Creed 2” gives fans exactly what the expect, improving significantly on the original without deviating from what worked about the first hit game.

HollywoodChicago.com Video Game Rating: 4.5/5.0
Video Game Rating: 4.5/5.0

The word I keep thinking of to describe “Assassin’s Creed 2” is depth. Both the depth of the visual scale of the game - very few, if any, looked more impressive this year - and the scope of the gameplay, an element that gets richer and richer as the title goes along. Coming off the white-knuckle, ammo-heavy experience of “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2,” it took me some time to get into the very differently paced “Assassin’s Creed 2,” but once this game gets its hooks in you, it’s very hard to shake. You’ll find yourself wanting to get back into its world as quickly as possible, making for one of the most addictive gaming experiences of the year.

Assassin's Creed 2
Assassin’s Creed 2
Photo credit: Ubisoft

You would never know it from the commercials or if you just caught the bulk of the game, but the plot of “Assassin’s Creed 2” is actually closer to something like “The Matrix” than you would first expect. Your character is in something called the “Animus,” a device that accesses not only repressed memories but those of your ancestors. Plug in and relive the adventures and exploits of your long-lost relatives. The game picks up immediately after the end of the last one as your current-era character must escape the evil clutches of the corporation trying to exploit his genealogy.

Assassin's Creed 2
Assassin’s Creed 2
Photo credit: Ubisoft

It’s not long until Desmond is underground at a secret hideout and going back into the machine, this time transplanted to 15th century Italy to learn the life of the assassin through the experience of Ezio Audituerre de Firenze. In a clever twist, players begin playing Ezio from birth as you push a button to move your newborn arms and legs before jumping forward to the key events in his life. The story revolves around a revenge plot that keeps Ezio moving through the enormous world of the game filled with unique personalities and gorgeous locations.

And, like a lot of open-world games, the main story is merely one element of the experience. There are a number of side missions in Florence (like races, fights, etc.) and the other cities you’ll visit and you could honestly just free run across the rooftops and get more enjoyment than most titles released in the last month.

Outside of arguably the best graphics of the year, the most notable element of “Assassin’s Creed 2” is how the game develops for the player. The game is built around your character learning to become a legendary assassin, which means new skills enter into the gameplay around every corner. So many games are released each year in which the player knows a series of moves at the beginning and merely repeats them throughout, but “Assassin’s Creed 2” honestly feels like a character in development. As your character and you, the player, gets more efficient at blending in with crowds, fighting, etc., the game becomes increasingly addictive. You actually feel like you’re getting better as the game progresses, not just moving towards the conclusion.

Hardcore action fans jonesing for more carnage after “Uncharted 2” and “Modern Warfare 2” will need to adjust their expectations with “Assassin’s Creed 2”. Stealth is a major part of the experience, as you’ll need to learn how to stay out of sight, blend in with the crowd, and time your strikes perfectly. Long, un-skippable cut scenes add to the sense that this is more of a drama than an action movie. Don’t worry. You’ll still do some serious damage with your dagger and live up to your title of an assassin, but the pacing is more (and sometimes too) leisurely.

Assassin's Creed 2
Assassin’s Creed 2
Photo credit: Ubisoft

The major difference in gameplay is the addition of money to the world of “Assassin’s Creed”. As Ezio completes missions (or merely as he pickpockets those around him), he will earn money that can be used for medicine, weapons, armor, or even just to throw and distract those blocking your way. Courtesans can be hired to distract guards and thieves can be paid to attack them. The game is also dense with collectible items, puzzles to be solved, and a ridiculous amount of other diversions outside of the games “A plot”.

The only negatives regarding “Assassin’s Creed 2” are minor ones. Sometimes the rooftop camera work can be frustrating. You’ll hurt yourself jumping off roofs and misjudging your landing much more than you’ll do so in battle. And, believe it or not, the game has a little too much variety. A few of the side missions feel perfunctory and the variety of experiences can lead to a game that is arguably unfocused outside of the main story. Remarkably, even with that lack of focus and hours of gameplay, “Assassin’s Creed 2” never feels as repetitive as a lot of games that run a quarter of its length. The development of the experience, always adding new skills, opening new worlds, and bringing new gameplay, keeps the title remarkably fresh.

A variety of gameplay styles, gorgeous graphics, an engaging storyline - “Assassin’s Creed 2” is easily one of the best games of the year. It is an immersive experience (the main plot alone will last you about 20 hours and that’s if you don’t just take time to look at the scenery or steal from your fellow man) that completely pole vaults over the original title and our high expectations of what Ubisoft would deliver with this one. The only question is if they can top it with a third installment.

‘Assassin’s Creed 2’ was released by Ubisoft and developed by Ubisoft Montreal. It is rated M (Mature). The version reviewed was for the PS3, but the title is also available for the XBox 360. It was released on November 17th, 2009.

HollywoodChicago.com content director Brian Tallerico

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

Anonymous's picture

I am really a big fan of

I am really a big fan of Assassin’s Creed 2, and this is great to get all those description about the same. I am very impressed with this post. Thanks

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